Visitors to the Bronx Zoo can now see a 5-month-old okapi calf! Okapis are distinctive animals that look like a cross between a zebra and horse but are actually more closely related to giraffes. Okapi babies are unique in that they do not defecate for 4-8 weeks after birth. This is a natural defense that reduces any scents that may draw predators near while the baby is vulnerable.
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Baby Zebra at Bronx Zoo
A new Grevy’s zebra foal made her debut recently at the Bronx Zoo. Named Terri, the little foal can be seen at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s African Plains exhibit. Baby zebras are born with brown stripes that darken to black as they mature.
In the wild, Grevy’s zebras are considered endangered by the IUCN Redlist. Their range is limited to parts of Ethiopia and Kenya. Threats include a reduction in water sources, loss of habitat, hunting, and disease.
For more information on the baby zebra, see Gather News.
Tiger Cubs’ First Snow
Tiger cubs at the Bronx Zoo pounce and bounce through the snow during their first blizzard.
Meet Hoover the Baby Aardvark
Watch Hoover, an inquisitive baby aardvark, at the Bronx Zoo exploring his environment.
In the wild, aardvarks are native to Africa. They have specialized features that help them hunt for their main diet: termites. They have thick claws useful for digging through termite mounds, long snouts that can suck up the termites, and a long sticky tongue that can slop them up.
For more information about Hoover and the aardvark exhibit, see the Bronx Zoo website.
Holiday Treats for Squirrel Monkeys
The keepers at the Bronx Zoo created a special holiday treat for their resident squirrel monkeys, blueberries encased in Jello. It looks like the monkeys had a little trouble getting the hang of the slippery treat but figured it out in the end and got their fill.
Video Plea from the Wildlife Conservation Society
In response to Governor Paterson’s proposal to cut funding to New York’s zoos and botanical gardens, the Wildlife Conservation Society released this clever video:
Baby Monkeys at the Bronx Zoo
Two baby Bolivian titi monkeys were born this earlier this month at the Bronx Zoo. The two babies live in separate enclosures with their parents. According to Josh Charlton, assistant curator of mammals at the Bronx Zoo, “Often, you’ll see the offspring hitching a ride on the dad’s back.”
For more information, see the NY Post’s “Zoo Ape about Babies.”